November December 2015 FREE!
PRIDE MATTERS President of GLAY, Adrianus Van Warooij, on the PRIDE main stage in the Yumbo de Playa del Inglés. Image: SABRINA CEBALLOS
We have, in this publication, several times reported on GLAY in recent years; the volunteer-led LGBT association that founded Maspalomas PRIDE back in 2002. It is they who have been solely responsible for taking this community event from humble beginnings 15 years ago, during the quietest month of the year, to now the single most highly attended annual celebration bringing foreigners and native Canarians together.
Why is any of this significant? Well, first and foremost, PRIDE is our local expression of a very important global movement for equality, the authenticity of which is unquestioned - if that is unclear to you, please Google “Stonewall”.
As well as that, GLAY represents the single most organised group of foreign residents, business owners and native Canarians, working Upwards of 100,000 people are estimated to attend annually more together with local institutions and government, to produce a than half of whom fly in specifically for the event. More than 45% uniquely successful major event. It could even be argued that it is of attendees come directly from the UK and much, much more than the highest yielding single attraction aimed at foreigners anywhere 65% of them are English speakers, along with a good mix of other in The Canary Islands. This unique community association, GLAY, nationalities. Maspalomas PRIDE Gran Canaria has become one has the capacity to act as a true model for social inclusion and of the best known PRIDEs in Europe, and it was specifically built citizen participation; something that is all too lacking among the by volunteers working alongside local businesses to produce an estimated 100,000 foreign residents who have made this island unparalleled economic success for the island and all involved. This their permanent home. It is a real story of achievement. year the event looks set to go into actual profit for the first time in a That is to say, it is pretty rare, and very precious. decade. This is genuine cause for celebration.
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El Periódico Inglés de Gran Canaria
SIAM PARK, GRAN CANARIA
Finally the green light for the installation of the ‘Siam Park’ water park on Gran Canaria has been signed off by The Canary Islands Government Ministry for Territorial Policy, Sustainability and Security. It was approved by The Canary Islands Territorial Planning and Environment Commission, after some scrutiny following at least one major objection, to help ensure “one of the most important strategic
investments in the Canaries” for construction of what has been touted to be Europe’s Largest Water Park.
Loro Parque SA, the promoter of the water park, will build the new tourist attraction on the land it owns next to Playa del Inglés, located in the area of El Veril in San Bartolomé de Tirajana. The insular railway line plan was also changed to make way for the new development.
An investment of €60 million, the company is expected to employ around three hundred people by the end of the year (2015) in the construction of the facility.
The Siam Park Water Park will be of significant economic, tourist and social interest, according to a statement from the Government of the Canary Islands. It is a commercial work that will play a key role in the development
of the area of El Veril, and bring considerable prestige as the largest in Europe.
Cotmac (The Canary Islands Commission for Territorial Planning and Environment) has pointed out that the agreement with the Canary Islands Government last year on 4 September 2014, when the proposed water park development was declared of strategic interest, is also endorsed by the public interest in the project.
Siam Park Gran Canaria proposed attractions include: ProSlide Technology Inc. are to provide Siam
side Siam Beach, with its imported white sands. “Volcano”: ProSlide BehemothBOWL with lighting effects that mimic the sensation of plunging into a Park’s attractions. Artist Paolo Bonnanno designed crater. the theming, and Bangkok architecture professor “Naga Racer”: Six-lane racing slide. Ruetai designed the buildings. Lost City: Fun-filled “water fortress” for kids. 15 highly popular attractions from the first Siam park will be recreated anew, with a few extra twists “The Giant”: An enormous “Temple Guardian” watches riders slide around a ProSlide Cannonjust for Gran Canaria. BOWL combination. “Tower of Power”: Thrill ride featuring a 28-metre drop and a trip through Siam Park’s shark aquarium. “Jungle Snake”: Entwined slides that slither down the hill through four different journeys. “The Dragon”: Dragon-themed ProSlide Tornado. Sawasdee: A brand new children’s zone offering “Mekong Rapids”: Rapids-style ride in family-sized inexhaustible fun, with an authentic water jungle rafts. that incorporates four different slides. Power River & the Rio Lento The World’s longest “Kinnaree”: A mega-slide with a 200-metre-long lazy river. Wave Palace: Offers three-meter-high waves along- winding circuit.
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Gran Canaria disaster declaration The President of the Cabildo of Gran Canaria, Antonio Morales, asked the Government to declare a disaster area due to “substantial” damage that October’s rains caused on the island, so as to be eligible for funds provided for these situations.
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The busiest airport for passenger journeys in the archipelago was Gran Canaria with 935,818, (+7.7%), making October its busiest ever recorded month for passenger traffic. Gran Canaria airport also ranked sixth in the AENA network throughout the Spanish territories. On whole, Canary Island airports recorded their best October in history with 3,225,897 passengers, a 5.9% increase on the same period of 2014.
Daily flights from Madrid with Norwegian
Canarian residents can buy tickets to the Peninsula starting from just €24.30, corresponding to the “Low Fare” rate, and the lowest fare offered by the Norwegian company. Of the 186 seats on each plane,prices reduced by between 10% and 20% will be offered on between 18 and 36 of the available seats with a minimal fee. The The insular Corporation explained that the damage at the end of October had an “enormous” affect on infrastructure owned by the company is also the first airline to offer free Wi-Fi on-board domestic flights and the ability to rent movies. institution, as assessed by the Island Water Council, where damage to water purification and desalination facilities is thought to Norwegian airlines now connects Gran Canaria to Madrid daily, have been millions of euros worth. while to Barcelona they will fly three times a week; Monday, Wednesday and Friday and to Malaga every Friday and Sunday. The President added that torrential rains on Gran Canaria, espeThese three prime national routes are the main novelties offered cially in Telde, caused “numerous types of destruction” to road by the company for the winter season, to which it must be added infrastructure, collapsed walls, tunnels and landslides, in addition to flooded homes, basements and garages and even vehicles the two other new international connections, which will link Gran Canaria with Karlstad in Sweden, and Birmingham in the UK. swept almost to the sea. The total damage is thought to far exceed €35million After several days of heavy rain, terrain and infrastructure lost their capacity to absorb water into the ground, so with repeated downpours the effect was that almost instant water flows could be expected with further danger to the road network and other buildings close to the natural path of water run-off, inundated with flooding and fast moving waters. The government insisted on taking all necessary precautions, declaring a state of emergency, activating the military and initiating necessary procedures for the Spanish State and the Autonomous Government to declare the island a Catastrophe Zone. Telde was hit hardest. Most here will remember the autumn rains of 2015.
Free unlimited Wi-fi at Gran Canaria airport Eurona Wireless Telecom has recently started a free, unlimited internet service at 12 airports in the Aena network. Included in the launch was our very own as well as both airports in Tenerife, and airports on Lanzarote, Fuerteventura, Palma de Mallorca, in Adolfo Suarez Madrid-Barajas, Barcelona-El Prat, Palma de Mallorca, Malaga, Vigo, Santiago de Compostela and La Coruna. Eurona was awarded the tender and operation of the free and unlimited Internet via Wi-fi at 46 airports and two heliports in the Aena network in September. Before now, Spanish airports offered just 30 minutes of free Wi-fi, a service that in 2014 connected more than 8 million passengers to the internet. This new service provision, will run for two years with a possibility of extension for another year, and will eventually be extended to the entire network, serving some 200 million passengers a year.
The new 20€ bill
The bodies of the three missing airmen, after a week long search, were found inside the submerged cockpit of their Air Force helicopter that crashed into the sea whilst returning from a training operation on behalf of the Search and Rescue (SAR) division of the Canary Islands. The confirmed find, 40 miles south west of Western Sahara, was announced by Defence Minister Peter Morenés at the Gando air base, ending a week of confusion in the Spanish press about the whereabouts of the three missing crew members: Captain Jose Morales, Lieutenant Saul Lopez and Sergeant Jhonander Ojeda, who had originally been thought rescued.
The ECB and the central banks of the euro area countries (Eurosystem) will start introducing the new €20 banknote on 25 November. The new €20 banknote is the third banknote of the Europa series. It represents a breakthrough in banknote technology because it contains an additional innovative security feature: the portrait window in the hologram. When the banknote is held against the light, the window becomes transparent and reveals a portrait of Europa which is visible on both sides of the note. The portrait is also included in he watermark. Europa is a figure from Greek mythology and the origin of our continent’s name. It also includes an emerald number and is printed on cotton paper.
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We provide flexible levels of HEALTH INSURANCE - depending on the cover level and premium best suited to the client’s requirements - from supplementary insurance to a more fully comprehensive cover. We are pleased to be able to offer lifetime discounts up to 30% for adults and 50% for accompanying children up to 16 years of age. We are currently offering an amazing 25% lifetime discount on our FUNERAL INSURANCE premiums – plus, the option to pay in installments at no extra cost. In addition we have discounted Our policies offer an extensive directory of our very popular Dental Insurance. private clinics, GP´s and Specialists working ASSSA offers UNIQUE WRITTEN from some of the best private healthcare GUARANTEES when you contract with us: hospitals. We have many English speaking medical professionals associated to ASSSA. * The age you join is the age you stay: i.e. premiums do not increase simply because you grow older.
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since a plot was assigned to it in New Health clinic for Playa de Mogán unfinished 2006. However, a lack of funding has prevented the full development of the project. The Canary Islands Government Ministry The new facilities will mean a saving for the of Health have announced an investment council. As around 4,000 people will benefit of €800,000 for the commissioning and construction of a new health centre in Playa from the new office. With the new facilities the current population of the entire Mogán de Mogán. Half of is to be paid next year valley, including Veneguera and Pueblo de to start the construction with the rest due Mogán will have guaranteed quality care, in the 2017 budget. The medical office at with Primary Care services, Paediatrics and Playa de Mogán is one part of the planned an Accident and Emergency centre. The health infrastructure which has remained
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development is critical as Playa de Mogán is experiencing population growth. Mogán will not only benefit from improved sanitary facilities but will save around €45,000 per year exclusively on hired health services and on top of that, the cost of water, electricity and telephone which is taken care of by the city hall. The new clinic will be located just a few meters from where the current medical centre is at Calle La Mina. The work will be put out to tender and awarded for next year.
Development of the old water park in Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico looks set to have a brand new shopping centre to rival the existing town centre Centro Comercial, which has been the main hive of activity since the 70s, in this popular tourist town. Perfume and cosmetics chain Fund Grube SL are reported to be joining forces with the No. 1 group, chaired by well known Canary Islands entrepreneur, Syrian-born, Amid Achi Fadul, and Hiperdino CEO, Javier Puga, all of whom have teamed up to build a modern shopping centre on the site of the defunct Puerto Rico Water Park, which has been closed since 2008. The project, on the 16,000 square metre plot, represents an investment of around €26 million, and looks set to begin next year. The purchase from the landowners, Puerto Rico SA, was closed four months ago, according to sources, with the company founded by the esteemed Roca family who originally created and built Puerto Rico as well as the now famous Amadores beach. The fact that this old water park has been abandoned for so long means that this project is most likely to be included in the new Plan for Modernisation of Mogán, which allows for changes to the permitted use of the plot for leisure and passing trade, which, it seems, has encouraged these investors to buy the parcel of land.
of supermarkets and one of its saviours from the financial crisis, having helped engineer the group’s repurchase from the banks in 2011 and one of Hiperdino/Dinosols primary architects of their return to profitability and recovered market share. A better group business pedigree it would be hard to find anywhere on The Canary Islands.
If all goes well, this will be the first time these entrepreneurs have come together to make an investment on this scale, though it is The design for the new shopping centre is expected to be finished not the first time they have taken part in successful agreements next week, once the architectural firm has added some finishing with one another. With this deal they bring together their comtouches, according to sources close to the investors, and is said bined, and formidable, prowess in the fields of consumer supply, to include a pedestrian street with a range of shops located on real estate development, retail innovation and a whole host of both sides, similar to some of the facilities to be found in modern- other skills which promise to make this newest venture highly day Madrid. It has been reported that the final project is due to likely to succeed. In fact, Achi operates several well known Shopbe presented to the Mogán town hall before the end of the year ping Centres already, like the El Muelle in Las Palmas and the Las along with a signed agreement to allow the development to ben- Palmeras on Fuerteventura, where Fund Grube, and also Hiperefit from the Mogán modernisation plan. dino all participate in his success, and including, of course, one of The company that will build this shopping centre is said to be 60% their most recent ventures the El Tablero shopping centre, which owned by the Indian born Chhabria brothers, Manmohan & Ghird- opened in March 2013 following an investment of almost €31 milari, the highly successful owners of the Fund Grube chain, 20% by lion, built at a time that was for many the height of the financial Amid Achi and 20% by Javier Puga, now CEO of the Dinosol group crisis and for locals here its completion marked the apparent end of the downturn for the south of Gran Canaria.
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El Peri贸dico Ingl茅s de Gran Canaria
THE LONG WALK 2015
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The fourth edition of The Long Walk saw 20 charity hikers leave Agaete, to walk coast-to-coast across the highest point on Gran Canaria, to raise funds and awareness for local breast cancer support Asociación Canaria de Cáncer de Mama (ACCM) ahead of international Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Along the way they were joined by various walkers and on the last day the entire TUI holidays resort team, who completed the final 20km to the dunes of Maspalomas. More than €13,000 was raised. A huge thank you to all involved, we are so proud to work with you.
CAMINATA CONTRA EL CANCER
The second sponsored walk against breast cancer in Maspalomas organised by Enduria Travel for the ACCM, was attended by more than 400 people of every nationality to show their support and solidarity in the fight against breast cancer. Once again many families joined in and lots of people registered to walk in the name of loved ones who have fought and survived or lost the fight. More than a thousand images are available through our websites. The Mayor of San Bartolomé de Tirajana, Marco Aurelio, the councillor for events, Jose Carlos Alamo Ojeda, the deputy mayor Elena Alamo & Equality councilor Amanda Cárdenes Calero all joined in along with the participation of major business institutions like Hospital San Roque and the RIU hotel group. €8000 was raised.
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El Peri贸dico Ingl茅s
CANARIES HOUSING PRICES HAVE FALLEN 0,7 % THIS YEAR
The price of housing fell, by 0.7% overall, in The Canary Islands between January and September this year, according to the General IMIE Tinsa and Large Markets index. Nationwide in Spain, housing prices fell 0.4% in September over the same month of 2014, the smallest decrease in prices since March 2008. According to Tinsa, the data for September confirmed the trend of a stabilization in housing prices. The accumulated fall since 2007 has reached 41.9%, according to the appraisal. Geographically, the Balearic and Canary Islands compared to the rest of the municipalities in Spain recorded an actual annual price increase of 0.7% and 0.6% during September. By contrast, housing prices on the Mediterranean coast fell (-3.1%), in metropolitan areas (-0.6%) and the capitals and large cities (-0.4%). PRICES UP TO SEPTEMBER IN THE MEDITERRANEAN Looked at cumulatively since January, the Mediterranean coast along with the capitals and large cities showed a rise in house prices of 1.2% and 0.2%. The Balearic and Canary Islands however saw a reduction in prices overall, by 0.7% between January and September, compared with a fall of 3.4% in the first nine months of 2014. Smaller towns have seen the largest price decreases since January, down 3.9%, followed by the metropolitan areas, with a fall of 2.5%. An adjustment of 41.9% from highs If the price of housing has fallen by more than 41.9% on average, from the highs of 2007, the Mediterranean coast is the area where the changes have been most pronounced, decreasing by 48.9%. The cumulative price decline in metropolitan areas stands at 44.4% and 45.1% in the capitals and major cities. Slightly differing from the peak of the cycle are the Balearic and Canary Islands (-31.6%) and in municipalities elsewhere (-37.8%).
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The Rolls Royce of Shipyards
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The cream of Canary Islands politics gathered alongside the shipping business community at the beginning of November to welcome the latest addition to the port of Las Palmas, a new partnership between Astican and Rolls Royce marine services, placing the island’s main port as one of only four specialist service facilities of its kind in the world.
Sources tell us that one of the deciding factors in closing the deal was an introduction to the special ZEC (Zona Especiál Canarias) tax regime through Norwegian tech company Intrahouse who set up here last year and who have become evangelists for the fiscal incentives offered.
Forecasts suggest that the Rolls-Royce Marine service centre will reach 50% capacity within a year, repairing and overhauling vessels in collaboration with Astican. The new 2,100 square meter workshop space is a modern facility with the latest equipment, machinery and tools installed. This service centre will meet the demands of customers operating in a wide geographic area from right here at the crossroads of the Atlantic, between Europe, Africa and the Americas.
The President of The Canary Islands, Fernando Clavijo, The President of the Gran Canaria, Antonio Morales, Spain’s Government Delegate, Maria del Carmen Hernandez Bento and the Mayor of Las Palmas Augusto Hidalgo joined the port authority, Astican and Beatriz Berrera, president of the ZEC, in welcoming the new investment from a company so uniquely world renowned for quality and excellence
The workshop has been optimized to perform service operations for all major Rolls-Royce Marine equipment with special emphasis on offshore repairs, support platforms and drill ships
Vice president of Rolls Royce maritime services for Europe and Africa, Knut Hovland said how proud he was to have negotiated this deal which was a “natural step” for the company and expressed how much he hoped it would be successful joking “I really want to keep my job.”
Andy Marsh, president of the maritime division, said that the launch of an office in Las Palmas “is a very important step in the history of Rolls-Royce,” and he did not hesitate to acknowledge his satisfaction, after two years of hard work and negotiations, that they had arrived on the implementation of these facilities with local service provider Astican, offering large scale dry dock facilities to the marine industry.
Rolls Royce provide 70% of the market for azimuth propulsion systems ,used to move offshore oil drilling platforms as well as holding contracts to service more than 70 navies worldwide, including the Spanish Armada. This facility will be focused on a wide range of shipping and industrial service needs, providing the very best engineering assistance available in the world, from the undisputed leaders in propulsion technologies. Their arrival brings with it significant prestige to the island.
Kokoon Stadium project announced but not yet confirmed
Once again the mysterious Kokoon investment group have announced they are ready to start construction of a 12,218 seat stadium with standing room for another 13,000+. The townhall only confirm this is indeed council land...
OctOber 2015 FREE!
LOMAS OPEN FOR BUSINESS MASPA Kokoon Team Announce Stadium Project, once again
Aurélio Peréz, Big Ron Atkinson
& a Maspalomas flying cow.
Alcalde Marco them to dub Ernst Pedersen, Per Solli, consultant, Jan Jacobsen, to meet their ideals, leading From Left to Right: A planning would not be high enough unlike anything Marco Aurélio “7 star” resort facility, and gentlemen met with Mayor Kokoon to be Europe’s first ever to be In September a group of most audacious developments famous to be found anywhere else. Peréz proposing one of the in the having been created (and of Gran Canaria, this time town hall false starts, various companies many rounds of fundput forward on the island The meeting, at the southern long line After several Norway and in Spain, tourist resort of Maspalomas. latest in a dissolved) in LA, the UK, by Christmas’, the de Tirajana, produced the of ‘spades in the ground offices of San Bartolomé Kokoon. ing and repeated promises are ready to start the team behind the project more that this time they of announcements from Kokoon team report once 1 is ready to go. Norwegian Kokoon stadium. Phase years ago, and fronted by building their showpiece Originally put forward eight plans include of these ideas the Kokoon project team’s come and gone, so the shape names and hitherto ‘business man’ Per Solli, As various backers have famous developments and facilities in Spain, and have changed with time. Several internationally a range of eyebrow-raising their endorsearchipelago or elsewhere to the project, all giving unknown on this small Atlantic anywhere in the world. personalities have been linked member of one standards least of at highest including very locals just simply promised to be of the ments alongside well known 5 star rating for their resort So much so that the usual
Could this be the new site for the long awaited Kokoon stadium project? After we reported on the meeting in September between Kokoon Holdings and the town hall of San Bartolomé de Tirajana, Kokoon have announced on their website that this is to be the new site for their reconfigured stadium, to be built by leading events construction company Nussli. So far, both the town hall and Nussli will only confirm that they have been contacted. Gran Canaria watches and waits...
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GLAY president Adrianus Van Warooij (André to most!), a 'retired' dutch national, and technical democrat, has said that around 175 businesses in the south now directly profit from the event during a week of festivities in and around the Yumbo Centre. In his opinion, published in an interview with Spanish language daily La Provincia earlier this year, "more and more people want a slice of the cake, that is PRIDE, but do not want to share their profits with the rest of the Gay and Lesbian community on the island, a community whose interests are represented in the south by GLAY." This could be seen as a predictable consequence for such unparalleled success, particularly when run by a small, unguided volunteer force, managed by foreign residents. An event of this scale comes with its own peculiar headaches. And opportunities. This year the event changed its name from 'Maspalomas Gay PRIDE' to 'Maspalomas PRIDE Gran Canaria'. When asked why, André says "First, it is important to note that PRIDE week expects to receive up to 120,000 visitors. When a tourist buys a ticket to attend PRIDE, they buy a flight to Gran Canaria, not simply Maspalomas. I think the fact of this year's event being called Maspalomas PRIDE Gran Canaria is a way to further encourage the promotion of tourism to the island. Maspalomas Costa Canaria will always be the natural home of the event on Gran Canaria, and PRIDE in Maspalomas is a much more universal idea." The event's previous management committee, responding to conversations with the local town hall of San Bartolomé de Tirajana, decided to drop the word "Gay" from the original title, partly in recognition of the fact that PRIDE is now attended by people of every sexual orientation, as a colourful expression of freedom and equality, and in an effort to open the event up, even to people who don't yet fully understand or identify with LGBT issues or the LGBTIQ community. In line with most other major PRIDE events around the world, this was meant to act as a catalyst for further mixing among the various communities here, specifically including the local Spanish population in a joint celebration of something that everyone can understand: the wider concept of PRIDE; or in Spanish, ORGULLO de Maspalomas.
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They have offered to "allow" the community to continue to use the name and the website. For some this is problematic. Through direct partnership between local government, other institutions and the, primarily foreign, gay community of the south, represented by the members of GLAY, Maspalomas PRIDE Gran Canaria has become a highly sought after commodity, by some it is being shamelessly wrestled over, for others it is a question of ownership. Does the event belong to the community? Through bad guidance, a lack of expertise and perhaps too little by way of an appropriate support network or transparency, the association found itself bound by an agreement of little direct value to the community itself. For two years GLAY were locked into a contract with a newly formed business, who threatened legal action and further financial penalties if the association didn't accept them controlling several of the profit-making "official" peripheral events along with a "VIP" area and all merchandise. Their real goal, it seemed to many however, was total control of the event. Concerns arose about how this would play out. A rival event was launched, making use of the name "pride" but, it seems, with absolutely no altruistic intent whatsoever, save for a vague offer of a "potential percentage of any potential profits" to GLAY. This new event has shown little more than a passing nod to the origins of a worldwide PRIDE movement. Significantly it seeks to package a community brand, though offers little for the local community to gain, beyond overspill for some of the Yumbo venues, while they produce a "free" sponsored show in a public space where their own pop-up bars serve what available customers there are, many of whom actually come to the island at this time of year to attend the now long running LGBT German Carnival, which has always revolved around armistice day.
For this reason, not all of the German gay bars are fully supportive of this new arrangement. Anyone who has come for the winter event in particular, and there are now some, does so under the impression that this is an authentic PRIDE event. Who can blame them when at its launch last year the organizers claimed specifically to have the full backing of GLAY and the community? However, this decision was also largely motivated by differences In fact GLAY had only been consulted briefly to ask if there were that have arisen in recent years between the community any objections to the planning of a winter event, but for many association who founded the event and some businessmen who that is not the same as fully supporting an idea. Retaining control decided, while working with GLAY in 2012, both as association of communication channels, specifically built for the community members and supposedly LGBT community supporters, to register event, has also had a negative impact on trust for intentions. an intellectual property claim on the name Maspalomas Gay Pride. This was thought by many within the community to be a The town hall of San Bartolomé de Tirajana has found itself not clear attempt to secure position for themselves as owners of the only complicit in this slight of hand, but today appearing to not event brand, and website domains, forcing the association to only fully understand how the origins of PRIDE actually link up to our deal with them, for merchandising and other types of publicity. local event. GLAY must take some responsibility for maintaining a The fact that one of these men was previously a president of the voice and a strong presence within local government thinking. For association, and so rather intimate with much of this unique event, the town hall all of this is an unwelcome tussle, with their focus left several less plugged-in volunteers feeling very uneasy about being, obviously, on ensuring a fully successful public event that this advantage being exploited, it seemed, solely for commercial continues to grow their outstanding LGBT tourism numbers. They gain. The individuals in question however claim to be protecting are looking to the community themselves to create unity, and to their investment, and the event, from mismanagement, and still ensure that all of this in-fighting gets resolved. GLAY are likely to to be absolute supporters of GLAY as the community association. be instrumental in ensuring that happens. They are the source.
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Nevertheless, it is to be said that the winter event had far fewer complications to deal with, as it was simply centered around a main stage show, and did not extend itself to community consultation or representation. Many people enjoyed it. The obvious skill shown in marketing and producing a main stage show is to be applauded. It is volunteers who previously found purpose within the community, attempting similar, who may feel the most disenfranchised. The quality achieved is to be admired. Sources within the town hall tell us that PRIDE "was always only ever a business opportunity", in a somewhat ironic twist back to one method by which the LGBT activist, Darío Jaén Rivero (PSOE), originally fostered this relationship between the local LGBT community and the town hall. Darío Jaén, "the driving force behind PRIDE", made clear that LGBT community is a simple reality in the modern world and particularly in Maspalomas, where he estimated LGBT tourism was nearly double the global average. He simply pointed out that resisting the economic opportunities on offer, while accepting that fact, did not make business sense. It seems the memory of some in the town hall may have faded a little when it comes to the original group of gentlemen, working with Darío Jaén, who first suggested PRIDE in Maspalomas. It was the GLAY community, gathered by Claudio Falcón in partnership with Darío Jaén and the town hall, who first proposed an authentic PRIDE event for the south. It worked.
News, Views & Sunshine
Nov-Dec
2015
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Today, the local councillor for events and festivities, José Carlos Alamo Ojeda, finds himself somewhat embattled. Various groups all vying for a bite of the cherry spend their time complaining of corruption within the community. Spanish cabaret owners, perhaps the most vocal due to their native language ability, demand and claim special relationships and complain of a "foreign mafia" taking all the profits. Outside events brands propose that its time to move the event production up a gear and into the hands of the professionals. All of them trying to rival a community who built the event in the first place, from nothing. But of course, none of these "rivals" are any real competition for a community that works together supported by local businesses. It can't be easy for the honourable councillor, when having to deal with non-Spanish-speaking community representatives, it is so easy to mistakenly confuse a concept like "Community", with the reality of the "Comunidad de Propertarios del Yumbo". But of course they are not the same thing. The first is diverse, intangible and difficult to define; an expression of the wider community, and the second a simply administrative commercial structure. It's a complex issue. No doubt. But you can be sure that the town council represents local residents first, as well as local business.
What it all comes down to is: what is it that is actually best for Maspalomas, and for Gran Canaria? Should this be more about a sometimes vulnerable and disconnected community? Those founders were leading members of the foreign and native Or should the focus be about increased professionalism and LGBT community, operating businesses and other charitable profits? Is Brand Maspalomas best served by a slick looking stage endeavours, from within the Yumbo commercial centre, for show, regardless of the origins of its audience? Or does Gran everyone who frequents it and gains from, what is now well Canaria society as a whole benefit from citizen representation known as, the hub of Gay Nightlife and Culture on Gran Canaria. and communication of positive and progressive ideas that revolve They represented a tangible community, connected to a particular around Love, Unity and Respect? Ideas that are recognised place. Every politician will tell you, however, how difficult it can positively all around the world. And in Maspalomas... be to try to represent absolutely everybody. Is it all about the money? Shouldn't PRIDE be about the The shift in perspective, brought about by Darío Jaén and his protection of some higher ideals also? Is there space for all of allies, within a deeply conservative administration, worked very this within one event? Should we be seeking to protect both well; leading the then Mayor, Marco Aurélio Peréz, to not only economic success combined with social cohesion? What is PRIDE support the creation of this event, but also stand by it in years to anyway? Is it something we trade, or something we nurture? come. Now he is serving his fourth term in office, and this major Perhaps it is all this, and more... and clearly it is not just limited to success forms a clear part of his legacy too within the municipality, the gay community. It is an investment; our gift, for everyone. the esteemed mayor is still more than happy to stand on the main stage at PRIDE wearing colourful feathers in rainbow shades. Let’s You can be sure there are a lot of hopes hanging on how these be clear, Mayor Marco is primarily interested in the continued questions get dealt with, but at the end of the day, finding ways to success of this great social experiment he started 15 years ago. He represent all these ideas will take a positive commitment to real sanctions no “take over” to our knowledge, and is only supportive. communication, working to each others strengths, and not simply pointing fingers while some try to clamber over bodies to control Perhaps, perhaps, economics was what drove the decision, but a golden goose that surely must have more to offer us than greedy inclusivity and a world class expression of equality has been the gobbling and rotten eggs! result, along with massive benefits for the local economy not to mention an expression of forward thinking social inclusion. And Yes with PRIDE has come prosperity, for some more than others, all this during May, a time of the year previously always accepted but can it now embody the wholly more precious profits of as dead within the local tourism industry. All this thanks to an community and a representative voice for all who share in it? open minded mayor, and a hard working group of individuals, Unity, Equality and Freedom must represent more to us than cash volunteers, working with local businesses and cultural groups control and conquest. This is surely true whether you like boys, or to present an annual celebration of the freedom and equality girls, or both, or neither; true PRIDE is ours to nurture. exemplified within Maspalomas and its cosmopolitan ideals. Edward Timon - Editor-in-Chief
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Nov-Dec
2015
News, Views & Sunshine
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TEAM DIAMONDS
Bar.Diamonds is one of the longest running in The Yumbo. We thought we would introduce you to some of the people that make it such a popular and fun place to go to both day and night... Rhys has been here for 3 years, originally from north wales, after coming here for 12 years on holiday, gave up work as an insurance broker and came to work at Diamonds. When not working he likes watching television, Downtown Abbey and The Revenge are favourites. Drinks: vodka orange, is in a relationship. Loves the atmosphere at PRIDE, hates having to work. Doesn’t do beach, hibernates in winter. Aaron, from northern ireland, has been here, there and everywhere. Came to GC two and a half years ago, having worked restaurants and bars. Didn’t know what to make of Yumbo at first. In spare time goes to the beach and the pool. Drinks: espresso martini or beer. Loves PRIDE for its amazing atmosphere, though its hard work. Single. Thinks the meaning of PRIDE has changed quite a lot over the years, from a fight for rights to a celebration of them. No pets, just a flat mate. Danny, from north belfast, been on GC for 10 months, has family here. Studied Spanish. Not a big drinker, but when he does Drinks: purple ice or purple rain. Working towards being a journalist. During time off loves to travel around the island, reads up on current affairs and interested in island culture and history. He avoids the beach, loves Pueblo de Mogán, no pets, and open minded about relationships. Loves PRIDE atmosphere. Thinks it is just a party here, but elsewhere it really stands for a continuing fight for equality. Says PRIDE should express some key messages about challanges faced locally and where PRIDE comes from. Still discovering himself and the world. Kai Ming, from Edinburgh, and has been here for 13 years. Has worked in various establishments around the Yumbo, but been 7 years at Diamonds. Drinks: Smirnoff ice, is in a serious relationship, no pets, just one drag queen, hardly used. When not at Diamonds indulged in full time Drag-Beverly-maintenance. Says PRIDE compares well here to other PRIDE events, but wonders why they’ve never had Europride in Maspalomas. Says its bigger than all the other events here put together, and takes so much energy to organise, everyone working really hard together for more than a month before the event, its almost a panic. Loves the sunny weather and cheap cigarettes. Dawid, from Poland, used to live in edinburgh, has been here just over two years. Drinks: espresso martini or beer, no pets just a boyfriend. Watching The Hundred on television. Thinks PRIDE really represents itself very well here compared with other PRIDEs. When he’s not at Diamonds he likes to stay at home by the pool, loves the mountains. Says Gran Canaria is so diverse. Doesn’t do beach much. Alex been here two months this time, but was here five years the first time. Likes shopping and multiple orgasms, but Drinks: vodka coke. Loves CSI. Originally from glasgow, Paisley Road West. Feels honoured to work with such a really great team. Loves that Yumbo is a safe environment for people to have fun, but wishes some maintenance money was spent helping it not look so tired. Has been adopted by a cat but not full time. Loves that people are friendly here and the sun helps keep everyone open to conversation. PRIDE for him is a promotion of gay lifestyle, its about people being accepted, there are still some barriers evident in some places even in the UK, but people come here because they can do what they like without being judged. Enjoys that families and straight couples come here with preconceptions about a ‘gay environment’ and by the time they leave they’ve really relaxed in to the fact that everyone is just lovely and welcoming.
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News, Views & Sunshine
Nov-Dec
2015
15
FUNNY BOY’S
The high rollers of Maspalomas were out in force at the end of October to celebrate the re-opening of the Black & Red Salón cabaret, down below the prestigious Casino Costa Meloneras, which itself is celebrating its 10th anniversary this month.
There were also rumours of dinner service, though the sudden influx of demanding first nighters only had eyes for the various lip syncing, heavily made up and plumaged stage performances, highlights of which included an outstanding series of acts from the stunning and talented Armani Dvyne, whose unequivoThe show presented by long-standing local cal beauty was matched by a clear underdrag impresario Fidel ‘Funny Boy’ Rodriguez standing of breath-perfect synchronisation, in and his partner in the new venture, seasoned tributes to Bassey and Whitney Houston; and professional Manel Dalgó, was pre-peppered the troupe of dancers, who in an upshift in with rumours of a very special opening night tempo revealed themselves in the second half attendee, which turned out to be little more to embody the very spirit of El Duende in a than a good will gesture, but from Dame Shirmedley of impassioned flamenco performancley Bassey herself, in the form a video postes that sent pulses racing. Certainly worth a card wishing the boys luck in their new show. visit for a fusion of Flemencabaret!
Blissfully Boutique
This interesting and luxuriant guest house is hidden away in San Fernando, on a quiet residential street about 15 minutes walk from Playa del Inglés. Significant effort has been spent to incorporate flavours of Italian and French design with a series of well appointed spaces, peacful enclaves and alcoves that allow you to quickly forget the preboxed hotel rooms and apartments of the large package hotels and complexes in which most who visit the south of the island stay. There is a gym and a pool too. Described as a Boutique Guest House Casa Los Islas boasts two suites and can accomodate up to 12 guests, with hosts Chris and David only too happy to offer extra guidance and services to ensure you have everything you need for a relaxing stay in comfortable surroundings. A hidden gem!
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Nov-Dec
2015
News, Views & Sunshine
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Without comparison Garbo’s Unforgettable present the very finest dinner show on Gran Canaria. Well renowned on the island as the very hardest working waiters in show business, the exemplary team at this top rated independent dinner theatre represent commitment to quality entertainment like no other on offer in the south.
El Periódico Inglés de Gran Canaria
GARBOS
You are guided to your taA complete evening experi- ble in a luxuriant main theence, the night begins with a atre and promptly served welcome from the talented with wine or beer, all inartistic driving force behind cluded in the ticket price. the show, Gary Breslin, who A drinks upgrade is availintroduces you to your perable for a small extra fee. sonal waiter to be seated.
TheCanaryNe The well Book on l choreographed or call 9 service is occasionally punctuated with a song from each of the outstanding young waiters, who perform brightly to ensure you are happy and well served throughout.
The food is freshly prepared to a set menu, with vegetarian options available. Once the main course has been polished off, the team disappear to transform into true stars for the evening and present a high energy spectacular, unique to this island and filled with the songs of yesteryear.
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ews.com/Garbos line and save 928 157 060
There is a brief interlude where the chef presents your desserts for the night and then the show steps up yet another gear with a fast paced series of musical numbers, various changes in costume and tempo, and displaying the well honed talents of a cast of young show people like few others here, enrapt in triumphant harmonies and a bewildering series of energetic choreographies that confirm, even to the most novice onlooker, that this is a show produced and performed by trained top professionals all working it.
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For the last two years the Garbo’s team have been joined by an outstanding aerial performer, Eugene, who adds a unique and mermerising talent to the line-up, raising still further the quality of show.
News, Views & Sunshine
Gary Breslin has a lot to be proud of, particularly from the perspective of maintaining the highest production values balanced with a successful business and managing to not only keep his show about quality, but also to continually raise the standard of what is on offer to both residents and visitors to this island. We really do not recommend any other show more highly. If you are looking for a treat this Christmas or New Year’s, or any special occasion; then you would struggle to find better than Garbo’s. Tell them we sent you and you are assured VIP treatment, as is everyone lucky enough to go.
Nov-Dec
2015
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Nov-Dec
2015
News, Views & Sunshine
El Periódico Inglés de Gran Canaria
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Help your local dog shelter
Cleaning items Anything to do with cleaning is perfect. Cleaning liquids and supplies, hand sanitisers, plastic gloves. Check any special offers from the shops nearest to you. Doggy stuff The sky is the limit! Collars, leashes, harnesses, toys, beddings, towels, blankets, grooming supplies, crates and carries, doggy swimming pools, any waterproof storage furniture. The list is endless. Anything that might be of use.
Perrera Municipal de Puerto Rico de Mogán
Become a foster home Some of the dogs might arrive to the kennels injured or sick or just need to stay awhile in a different environment. Remember, all donations are used directly and only in the facility and for these dogs.
If you are interested in adopting contact ANAHI or the On Gran Canaria it is estimated that 10.000 the animals, and Romina from the Animal Perrera directly. animals are abandoned every year. Nearly 28 Charity ANAHI who takes charge of the dayThey ask you animals everyday, more than one every hour. to-day running of the shelter. A small group to pay the For such a beautiful tourist Island of “eternal of occasional volunteers also help with the legitimate costs spring”, with a population just over 850,000 dedicated management and maintenance of involved with people, this is an extraordinarily high number, the Municipal Kennel of Mogán. Cleaning, having taken unimaginable. feeding, medicating, sterilisation and looking them in. But that for forever homes for these very deserving really isn’t much There are numerous different animal dogs. They get by on the most minimal funds. at all for such a organisations on Gran Canaria and it is not thorough service. always easy to know how or who to help. There are puppies, small breeds, medium The best thing Unfortunately there are also occasional and large; from full breeds to mixed and about working individuals with highly questionable ethics, some really lovely Podencos, the beautiful especially when it comes to financial Canarian hunting dogs who are usually so shy with the perrera is that you are not just paying for the animal you want to keep, that money donations, always a sensitive area when you and fearful of people. They never euthanise can’t be sure where or how your donation is a healthy dog and do what they can for every then goes directly to help save more animals, in the hope that someone just as kind as you to be used. animal with the little they have. will come get them and repeat the process… In the south of Gran DIFFERENT WAYS Canaria, there is YOU CAN HELP! Puppies up to 5 months: €80. This includes: pet passport, puppy vaccine, vanguard 7, only one municipal It’s so easy to discover kennel cough vaccine, rabies vaccine, internal dog shelter and and experience real and external deworming. When it comes to that is located in unconditional love and puppies they also ask commitment for future Mogán. This small gratitude while out sterilization or castration as soon as the facility is in Motor walking with dogs. puppy is old enough for it. If the person who Grande, up behind adopts the dog wants them to take care of the Puerto Rico. The dog Donate your time and sterilization or castration they only ask for €30 pound has recently take a dog for a walk! (that’s much less than half the actual cost!). experienced a change in management and is now overseen by long This is the easiest and one of the most needed Adult dogs: €130. This includes kennel ways you can help. On Tuesdays, Thursdays, running animal protection society ANAHI. cough vaccine, pet passport, rabies vaccine, Saturdays and Sundays from 11:00-14:00 vanguard 7, 4DX filaria test, internal and ANAHI is publicly registered and was anyone can go there and say hello to the external deworming and sterilization or established in 1985, celebrating their 30 dogs. Just taking one dog for a walk or even castration. year anniversary this year. No member or just sitting with them, inside or outside, and volunteer in ANAHI receives salary or any telling them what good doggies they are is Editor’s note: Don’t let anyone tell you different other fees. All financial donations are used mutually therapeutic and extraordinarily about what happens at Puerto Rico Perrera, directly for the dogs, food and vets costs. fulfilling. The simplest act of kindness will if you are unsure, go and visit for yourself. There’ll be wagging tails to greet you! Perrera Municipal de Puerto Rico de Mogán mean everything to them. Dog walkers are especially needed during the week. Not only Despite its size there are 40 kennels currently is it good for you, it can be a little addictive! in operation, where abandoned dogs live, day Donate Dog Food after day until the lucky ones get adopted. The shelter is without electricity which also The most basic thing and always needed. Any means without hot water. But it is very clean. kind of dog food; wet, dry, puppy, for small & There are two amazing ladies in charge there, big breeds, special/allergic foods (always an extra cost), veterinarian special food and not a leading volunteer Maria who looks after forgetting lots of little treats (not chocolate! the facebook pages as well as helping with doggy treats)
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News, Views & Sunshine
Nov-Dec
2015
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LAS PALMAS: NO SUCH PLACE
There’s no such place as Las Palmas. Yes, Gran Canaria’s capital city is on the maps but once you arrive, you find that it’s actually a series of neighbourhoods, or barrios as the locals Laura Leyshon call them, each with its own identity and Property Expert highlights. The Puerto area by the beach, for example, is split into La Isleta, Santa Catalina and Guanarteme….all different with their own character and characters. Guanarteme, the area near the Auditorium at the south end of the beach, is choc-a-block with surf schools, trendy bars playing live music, hostels and hippy shops.
This area is definitely up-and-coming, which is why after 15 years and various house moves we have finally settled here.
The winter season is Las Palmas’ busiest time with large numbers of cruisers and “snow birds”; willing refugees from the short days and freezing temperatures in the North of Europe. But why Las Palmas when other places have warm weather? If you want to experience culture and look at beautiful buildings you can….but what this city is really about, and what makes it stand out from other cities, is the three kilometre beach, protected by a reef and lined with a promenade and countless bars and restaurants.
When people think of the Canary islands, the Spanish element gets a bit neglected. However, the islands are Spanish, and Las Palmas in particular,enjoys all the advantages that being Spanish brings. Top of the list; the food. Along with Canarian food cooked the local way, what makes Las Palmas cuisine stand out from others are tapas bars and superb steak restaurants.
Las Palmas is worlds away from the tourist resorts in the South, but more and more people are visiting as an alternative city break You can also taste the world in Las Palmas. If you ate out every day destination with year-round sun. in a month you wouldn’t have to eat from the same country twice. Long dismissed as the place where things got done rather than And that’s just within walking range of the beach front. the place to have fun, Las Palmas is developing a buzz of its own. On top of all this, Las Palmas has the best climate of any city in the If you want to eat good Spanish food and experience local life, it’s World… the place to be. Where else would you find a macaw on Christopher Columbus’ Actually, it’s getting its buzz back. In the 1950s Las Palmas was patio, digital nomads tripping over their surfboards, and thousands Gran Canaria’s only tourist destination but the mass development of happy visitors eating seafood by the beach? Las Palmas is a city of the south left it behind. It spent forty years in a funk and is only on the move and no visit to Gran Canaria is complete without a visit now coming back to life. here. You won´t regret it.
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JUST EAT WELL ’
Personal Fitness
October
2015
News, Views & Sunshine
El Periódico Inglés
you don t need to force your body to its limits
In a month from now we will have a great holiday. Christmas. I want to touch on a very interesting topic, unhealthy attitudes towards food. Holidays like Christmas, can be both positive and negative. They bring families and friends together and provide a sense of magic and wonder. But these are also the days when we are not thinking about consequences as we enjoy lots and lots of seasonal drinking. The quality of food is often poor. Many during the holidays find themselves in the hospital. Blood poisoning, overeating, it affects the whole body. The metabolism slows down making it more difficult to get back in good shape. And very seriously affects the heart and liver!
In my seminars, I always cite Abraham Maslow, for many he is the founder of humanist psychology. He considered the needs of people to be directly connected to any problems they suffer and their ability to improve. In his famous pyramid of needs Maslow describes the need for food as a base level need, at the level of instincts. But the need for self-actualization, self-learning and self-realization he placed at the very top of the pyramid. Basically saying that if we do not satisfy our basic needs for food, sleep, warmth, we are not able to reach the higher levels of becoming what we most want to be.
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Laura Leyshon Property Expert C
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There was a time, not so long ago, when for most people in the world, hunger and the provision of food were a real day-to-day struggle. But these days, when most of the worlds population has been elevated out of abject poverty, food has become more a simple source of pleasure, similar to alcohol or drugs. Due to the range of ingredients and additives, food has been elevated to a cult, and the problem of feeding the population mostly disappeared. Our refrigerators are bursting from the abundance and diversity. Mass gluttony in the name of our own stomachs! We have been seduced by the cult of consumption, which stops us from developing in other ways. We falsely believe that while we eat we simply meet our physical needs. But we must also understand that we do not necessarily need to fill our bellies at every celebration. Suffice to say that you may be surprised at how interesting and beautiful the world can be when you choose to be more selective. When you decide to only reach for the good things. Cease to be dependent on food - that is our task for today.
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As the Christmas holiday approaches I wish you well, and hope you spend these days with loved ones, and in advance that you think just a little about preparing a modest, useful, and most importantly delicious menu.
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Think quality instead of quantity. Natural above all. Though they may be a little more expensive, you’ll find that by switching to some of the best organically produced foods you will feel healthier, enjoy the holidays more and automatically eat less of the wrong things.
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That should certainly help any new year’s resolutions along, even before you start to celebrate. Recommendations:
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Making it simple Contact me today to talk about what you’re looking for or to view our lastest listings. laspalmasproperty.com laura.leyshon@remax.es 608169845
1 I speak English,
Spanish and French
So I can deal with the local authorities, cutting through the hard work so you can enjoy your property search
2 I understand your needs
As a foreign resident and local property expert, I can help you find what you’re looking for
3 Access to hundreds
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I can show you almost any on sale property in the city,
1. Do not be afraid that there will not be enough. Much of the food bought for Christmas time gets thrown away. You can save your budget and help your health. 2. Do not use semi-finished precooked products. All products should be fresh and natural. It’s easy in our climate 3. Buy plenty of fruits and vegetables, instead of cheap sweets and cakes, they will help digestion and you may rediscover how good they taste. 4. At this time of year the favorite bird, goose or turkey, is not just a dietary product, but also delicious, really good for you. Avoid red meats. 5. Don’t drink too much alcohol. Try to actually enjoy the people around you and show them you care, by just sticking to the odd one or two. You don’t have to be completely senseless. You can really experience life too! If you follow these little rules, after the holiday, you will surely feel at greater ease and have much more pride in your own body!
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News, Views & Sunshine
October
2015
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VIADUCT POWER Nov-Dec
2015
News, Views & Sunshine
Ten years ago, an imaginative project began on the small Canary Island of El Hierro, which many thought would be impossible. It was an experiment that has the potential to be of enormous significance upon the global battle against climate change, and the abandonment of fossil fuels as a source of energy. This project has culminated in El Hierro now being totally self sufficient in energy by using the island’s vast resources of wind and hydropower, involving a wind farm, hydroelectric plant, an efficient pumping system and two reservoirs.
T he C anary N ews . com
El Periódico Inglés de Gran Canaria
Twitters from the Atlantic © Barrie Mahoney
Barrie Mahoney was a head teacher and school inspector in the UK, as well as a reporter in Spain, before moving to the Canary Islands to launch and edit a new English language newspaper. He enjoys life in the sun as a columnist and author, and continues to write a series of popular novels, books for expats, as well as designing mobile apps and websites to promote the Canary Islands.
Despite the success of solar energy, wind and wave power in many parts of the world, I rarely see solar panels on the roofs of businesses and government buildings, let alone residential homes on the island. We enjoy very high levels of sunshine throughout the year, and we have plenty of wind and wave energy surrounding the islands, but these natural resources are wasted. Instead, the oil companies prefer to scour the seas off these beautiful islands for deposits of oil and gas with scant regard to the damage that inevitably occurs to marine life. Fortunately, the price of oil has fallen to make this no longer economically One year ago, and before the big switch over, the viable, but only for the time being. We do have some island’s 10,000 residents had to rely upon regular, wind turbines onshore, which I am rather fond of. Afand sometimes unreliable, shipments of oil from its ter all, I would much rather live next to a wind farm If you enjoyed this article, take larger neighbours. Now, on a typical windy day, more than a nuclear power station or an oil refinery. a look at Barrie’s websites: www.barriemahoney.com and power is generated than required by its residents, www.thecanaryislander.com or and the excess power pumps water from one reser- Remembering the huge anger generated about onread his latest book, voir to another at a higher elevation of 700 metres. shore wind farms in the UK, I read with interest a ‘Island in the Sun’ When the wind dies, the water is released to spin study by a team of Spanish and British researchers (ISBN: 9780992767181). turbines to generate electricity. Planning and imple- concerned with using spare space on skyscrapAvailable in paperback, as well as Kindle, iBooks and Google mentation has been a long and expensive process, ers, motorways and bridges to mount relatively Play editions. costing around 82 million euros, but as the regional unobtrusive wind turbines. Several test sites were iPhone/iPad and Android government and the island’s inhabitants have been considered, including the Juncal Viaduct in Gran Apps: ExpatInfo, CanaryIsle spending millions of euros each year on diesel, the Canaria. Using computer simulations, the researchand CanaryGay now available. long-term saving will be considerable. It is a projers discovered that installing just two medium sized © Barrie Mahoney ect that has received attention from scientists and turbines between the bridge’s existing pillars would government specialists from many counties in a bid produce power equivalent to 24 small wind turbines, to resolve energy and pollution issues in their own which would be sufficient to meet the average power countries. consumption of 450 to 500 homes on the island. The architect design of this ‘revised’ viaduct is not only Ten years on, I am still wondering why, on the neigh- impressive, but rather beautiful. bouring islands to El Hierro, we still have huge oil tankers feeding the power stations? Why have we Sadly, there are no immediate plans to put these not moved towards the El Hierro solution? As I live imaginative ideas into practice, but the research into only a few kilometres from an electricity generating the Juncal Viaduct has shown that, technically, it is station in Gran Canaria, I am used to seeing tankers possible. All we need now is political will, investment thundering down the small roads several times each and a willingness to move away from oil, if the powday. The costs are enormous; roads are damaged, as erful oil companies and governments will allow it. well as the sheer inconvenience in shipping oil to the The island of El Hierro has already proven that even islands from the Spanish Peninsular to be fed into the wildest dreams are possible, when having the the power stations upon which we all rely. will and determination to succeed.
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Nov-Dec
2015
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BodaExpo 2015 Gran Canaria Wedding Fayre Once again, the “Feria de bodas 2015”, Gran Canaria’s yearly wedding fair, didn’t disappoint. The very best of Gran Canarias wedding suppliers gathered together to display their products and services at Infecar in Las Palmas. It was great to see some of our most trusted wedding suppliers attending, and to see their up and coming new products and services. Visitors were greeted with classical music and enjoyed bridal catwalks throughout the weekend from some of the Las Palmas well known bridal stores such as Pronovias & Dinovias along with many others. The cake designers Proyectos de Azucar had to be some of my favourite participants of the day, which had a lot to do with their abundant supply of exquisite cake samples. Not only were the cakes delicious, but the designs were breathtaking! Some of our well known wedding venues also made their yearly appearance, Maroa Club de Mar, H10 and the Finca Condal, to name but a few.
Our very good friend Rolanda Oversloot from Boutique Sensual Pasiones also came all the way from her shop in Vecindario to showcase all her new products. We were really excited to see some of the new suppliers and services in action. Alacena de Cebrian attended the event for the very first time this year. Their samples of exquisite Iberica Jamon Serranos, one of my favourite foods and Spains most decadent dishes, also kept me at their stand for quite a sometime, all in the name of research of course! We really do have some talented individuals in the wedding industry on the Canary Islands with lots of passion for what they do. Once again a impressive event and huge success! Bernadette Garside Director - The Perfect Wedding Company
Terms & Conditions apply: Racing Federation rules stipulate that personal indemnity & insurance is obligatory before being able to enter the pit area or drive our racing cars. Available on site for â‚Ź20 and valid for the whole day. Contact us for more info.
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GETTING TO GRIPS WITH CANARIAN SPANISH
Nov-Dec
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Arucas, just like Teror, has a very rich history connected to Christianity through its church: La Iglesia de San Juan Bautista, commonly known as La Catedral de Arucas, and celebrates its next Romería (I have explained this term in the previous issue of this same newspaper, and in one of my videos) on the 21st of November. We invite you to join us on that day and experience the celebration first hand. Arucas is situated in the north of Gran Canaria and while its centre is slightly further away from the coastline, it reaches the coast through its nearby villages, the most renowned of which is Bañaderos. You can see it as you drive through the GC-2, the dual carriage way which stretches from Las Palmas all the way up to Agaete. Well worth a day trip at any time of year! Take a look at the following Canarian words: Diego Mesa (Puerto Rico Language Centre)
JABLE 1.
TEMPLAR
White sand from the beach
Eg. Lo cogieron sacando jable de la playa, y le pusieron una multa. - They caught him taking white sand from the beach and they fined him. 2. wind
Farmland which has been covered by sand due to the
Eg. Las batatas buenas son las de jable, mientras que las que se cultivan en arenados son mas aguachentas. - The sweet potatos which are nice are the ‘jable’ type, while those cultivated by covering them with sand by hand, have a tendency to be more watery.
1.
To add suitable amount of salt to the food
Eg. Siempre hay que templar la comida antes de apagar el fuego. - You always have to salt the food before you switch the heat off. 2.
To check the food to see if it has the right amount of salt
Eg. La madre le daba a templar la comida porque decía que ella había perdido el gusto. - His mother would get him to taste the food, beause she said she had lost her sense of taste.
After the Spanish conquest the first inhabitants to live in what was called ‘Arehuc’, the indigenous name for Arucas, were labourers, slaves, servants, traders and craftsmen. They moved there at the beginning of the 16th Century and lived on the south facing side of what is today La Montaña de Arucas not far from where the prehispanic inhabitants lived. In 1504 a hermitage was erected in honour of San Juan Bautista, who in time would become the patron of Arucas. On the 15th April 1515 the hermitage was given the status of a parish, since 40 families lived in the area, by the Bishop Vazquez de Arce. It would also be given the right of asylum, which meant that if a pursued man entered it seeking refuge, in asylum, he coud not be lawfully detained. The first procession that took place in and around the parish was the Corpus Christi in June 1515, and throughout the walk, the streets were filled with brooms and flowers. In 1837 Arucas would be given the much demanded honour of being recognised as a small town by the queen, Isabel II. And in 1894, due to the growth in the number of its inhabitants and progress in its industry and commerce, the queen María Cristina de Habsburgo-Lorena, gave Arucas the title of a city, in the name of her son Alfonso XIII. In 1909 the first stone was placed to build San Juan Bautista’s Church, created in a neogothic style, which nowadays is one of the most majestic buildings on the island and a source of pride for all the locals and especially those who are from, and live in, Arucas. Nowadays, you can visit Arucas, not just for its romería, but also for the festivities of Santa Lucía and San Sebastián, as well as those of the patron, the livestock fair and ‘la batalla de flores’, a street party with music playing and carriages derocated with flowers, balloons and so on to fill the street with colours.
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2015
News, Views & Sunshine
El Periódico Inglés de Gran Canaria
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Language Lesson #97
with Theresa Coe
¡ENCANTADO! CHATTING TO NEW PEOPLE
Why not come along to one of our language exchanges in San Fernando (Saturdays) or Playa del Inglés (Sundays)? We also have a Spanish club Wednesdays and English club Thursdays in the south – just email me for details. All are a great way to meet local people and find out more about the island. If you don´t speak much Spanish, you might find the phrases below useful.
To introduce other people, we use ‘este’ for men and ‘esta’ for woman, both meaning this – e.g. ‘este es mi marido/novio Paul’ - this is my husband/boyfriend Paul, or ‘esta es mi hija/hermana Jenny’ – this is my daughter/sister Jenny. Remember NEVER to pronounce the letter ‘h’. If they want that sound, they´ll give you the letter ‘j’ so hija is pronounced EE-ha.
¿De dónde eres? Meaning ‘where are you from’, this is a handy question to learn by heart as Gran Canaria is wonderfully international. Of course not everyone who speaks Spanish is local but to check you can ask ¿Eres canario? to a man, or ¿Eres canaria? to a woman. To give your nationality you can say: Soy inglés (for an English man) or inglesa (for a woman); if you´re from another part of the UK, you´re still British: soy británico/a. Remember: ‘o’ usually goes at the end for a man and ‘a’ for a woman.
¿Trabajas?
¿Qué tal? There are two main ways to ask ‘how are you?’, either ¿Cómo está(s)? Or the more informal ¿Qué tal? To both, you can answer ‘estoy (muy) bien’ - I´m very well - or just ‘bien’: fine. Alternatively, the commonly used expression ‘más o menos’ (more or less) in this case means that you´re not feeling great – just okay. And if you´re not well, tell them! No estoy bien. The great thing about ‘qué tal’ is that you can add different subjects at the end, e.g. to enquire about people´s job, family or health: ¿Qué tal el trabajo/la familia/la salud? Or ¿Qué tal los niños? How are the children?
¡Encantado! There are also two ways to say ‘pleased to meet you’ – either ‘mucho gusto’ (much pleasure) or ‘encantado’ if you´re a man, and ‘encantada’ if you´re a woman, both meaning (I´m) delighted. The easiest way to introduce yourself and ask someone´s name is to say: ‘Soy Theresa, ¿y tú? - I´m Theresa, and you? Otherwise you can ask them: ¿Cómo te llamas? (Como teh YA-mass) What´s your name – literally ‘how you call yourself?’
Pronounced tra-BA-hass, this means: do you work? And you might want to ask where: ¿Dónde? A good follow-up question is to ask if they like their job: ¿Te gusta el trabajo? In fact, you could ask if they like all sorts of things: ¿Te gusta más el vino o la cerveza? Literally: ‘you like more the wine or the beer?’ To tell others about things you like, start with ‘Me gusta’ (lit: me it pleases). For example, Me gusta Gran Canaria porque el clima es excelente – I like GC because the climate is excellent. ¿Qué te gusta hacer cuando (tú) no trabajas? What do you like to do when you´re not working? Me gusta caminar, tomar el sol y leer (‘layair’). I like to walk, ‘take the sun’ and read.
¿Por qué? When asked why - ¿Por qué? We normally answer with because - porque (POR-keh). For example: ¿Por qué quieres hablar español? – Porque (yo) vivo aquí. Why do you want to speak Spanish? – Because I live here.
¿Puedes recomendar….? Make the most of local people you meet at a language exchange or elsewhere to pick their brains: ¿Puedes recomendar un buen sitio para comer tapas? Can you recommend a good place to eat tapas? Go where the locals go and you´ll eat better and spend less. ¿Puedes recomendar un buen mecánico? Can you recommend a good mechanic?
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2015
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Free!
The Gran Canaria Language exchange
Pronounced re-PEE-teh des-PA-sio, this means ‘repeat slowly’. Other useful phrases include ‘yo no sé’ – I don´t know, not to be con- 1,500 people take part in language exchange fused with ‘(yo) no entiendo’ – I don´t understand. Often people gatherings and conversation clubs around the think they don´t understand when it´s just one word they don´t get. In that case, repeat that word in a questioning voice. So if you hear island. – English speakers always welcome ¿te gusta viajar? You could reply ¿Via-jar?... no entiendo viajar (it and a great way to meet local people. We means to travel). Try to also learn ¿Cómo se dice? How do you say meet weekly in Playa del Inglés, San Fernando, it? Eg ¿Cómo se dice ‘pen’ en español?
¡Salud!
Vecindario Arguineguín, Agüimes Las Palmas, Telde and Arucas.
Curiously, we say the same thing when someone sneezes as when we clink glasses: ‘¡Salud!’ meaning ‘health’. Now you know why my friend Miguel said ‘Cheers’ after I sneezed!
To find out more, check out:
Hear it pronounced Spanishdict.com is a fab online dictionary and translator that allows you to hear words pronounced too. For past lessons or info about conversation clubs around the island, email theresacoe@gmail.com
acebook.com/LEGintercambio or email me theresacoe@gmail.com
For info about Spanish classes, the language exchange or to receive past lessons from this newspaper, just drop me an email.
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2015
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Send your answers by email to: Quinny@TheCanaryNews.com, text them to 626 641 537 or call 928 987 952 for your chance to win dinner for two (2 starters & 2 mains & dessert), from the very finest welsh New Delhi kitchen on Gran Canaria. All correct answers will be collected together, independently drawn and announced in the next edition Last editions winner is Paul The pElvis Santangello, who has won a trip for two on the Afrikat! (subject to availability) 1 Name the man that is celebrated on November the 5th in the UK
6.Which London street is famous for tailoring and hand made clothing
2. Name the only no 1 single sang by Right said Fred
7. Panda bears eat which type of vegetation
3. Spanish word for stars (as in the sky, hint a Spanish beer)
8.Which of the 4 UK home countries is not represented in the union jack
4.What flower is worn in remembrance
9.Which football club used to play at the Baseball Ground
5. What 2 colours are on a barbers pole
10. All the kings horses and men not put who back together again 3.What nickname is given to the Loch Ness monster Ans Harry Potter
2.Chamber of secrets is from which series of books Ans Mercedes
1. Which team does Lewis Hamilton drive for
Ans 21
5.How many dots are on a standard dice Ans Terriers
4.Welsh,Border,Irish, Lakeland are what breed of dog Ans Nessie
Ans Barcelona
Answers from last edition
31
8. Faulty towers waiter Manuel was from where Ans A A Milne
7.Who wrote the Winnie the Poo books Ans Anne Robinson
6. Who presents the weakest link quiz
Ans Vino Blanco
10. Spanish words for white wine Ans 8
9. A Octagon has how many sides
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